A neter in a novel is something like a new se in a play; and when I draw up the curtain this time, reader, you must fancy you see a room in the Gee Inn at Millcote, with such large figured papering on the walls as inn rooms have; such a carpet, such furniture, suents on the mantelpiece, such prints, including a portrait of Gee the Third, and another of the Prince of Wales, and a representation of the death of Wolfe. All this is visible to you by the light of an oil lamp hanging from the ceiling, and by that of an excellent fire, near which I sit in my cloak and bo; my muff and umbrella lie oable, and I am warming away the numbness and chill tracted by sixteen hours』 exposure to the rawness of an October day: I left Lowton at four o』clock a.m., and the Millcote town clock is now just striki.
Reader, though I look fortably aodated, I am not very tranquil in my mind. I thought when the coach stopped here there would be some oo meet me; I looked anxiously round as I desded the woodehe 「boots」 placed for my venience, expeg to hear my name pronounced, and to see some description of carriage waiting to vey me to Thornfield. Nothing of the sort was visible; and when I asked a waiter if any one had been to inquire after a Miss Eyre, I was answered in the ive: so I had no resource but to request to be shown into a private room: and here I am waiting, while all sorts of doubts and fears are troubling my thoughts.
It is a very strange sensation to inexperienced youth to feel itself quite alone in the world, cut adrift from every e, uaiher the port to which it is bound be reached, and prevented by many impediments from returning to that it has quitted. The charm of adventure sweetens that sensation, the glow of pride warms it; but thehrob of fear disturbs it; and fear with me became predominant when half-an-hour elapsed and still I was alone. I bethought myself t the bell.
「Is there a pla this neighbourhood called Thornfield?」 I asked of the waiter who answered the summons.
「Thornfield? I don』t know, ma』am; I』ll inquire at the bar.」 He vanished, but reappeared instantly—
「Is your name Eyre, Miss?」
「Yes.」
「Person here waiting for you.」
I jumped up, took my muff and umbrella, and hastened into the inn- passage: a man was standing by the open door, and in the lamp-lit street I dimly saw a one-horse veyance.
「This will be ygage, I suppose?」 said the man rather abruptly when he saw me, pointing to my trunk in the passage.
「Yes.」 He hoisted it on to the vehicle, which was a sort of car, and then I got in; before he shut me up, I asked him how far it was to Thornfield.
「A matter of six miles.」
「How long shall we be before we get there?」
「Happen an hour and a half.」
He fastehe car door, climbed to his ow outside, a off. Our progress was leisurely, and gave me ample time to reflect; I was tent to be at length so he end of my journey; and as I leaned ba the fortable though not elegant veyance, I meditated much at my ease.
「I suppose,」 thought I, 「judging from the plainness of the servant and carriage, Mrs. Fairfax is not a very dashing person: so much the better; I never lived amongst fine people but once, and I was very miserable with them. I wonder if she lives alone except this little girl; if so, and if she is in any degree amiable, I shall surely be able to get on with her; I will do my best; it is a pity that doing one』s best does not always answer. At Lowood,